Earlier this month, I was delighted to join with people across Clackmannanshire to show my support for Armed Forces Day.

A day which is so important for many local people and groups - not least the local branch of The Royal British Legion Scotland - as it allows us, as a community, to recognise the service local people have made to our Armed Forces.

I’d like to thank everyone involved in the organisation of the event. It was great to see such a good turnout, particularly from our local schools and I very much look forward to seeing the event develop further in coming years.

I am delighted to have received formal accreditation as a living wage employer. People who go out and do a hard day’s work should not be left struggling to pay the bills. By paying the living wage, I know that my staff are being given a fair wage for the work that they undertake.

The Scottish Government has ensured that all public sector staff who it has responsibility for are paid the living wage and I would encourage all employers to join me in paying the living wage.

The SNP has always believed that the right to vote should be extended to 16 and 17 year olds for all elections - and with the vibrant, passionate contribution of our young people in Scotland’s referendum debate, they more than repaid that faith.

I was therefore delighted to vote last week in the Scottish Parliament to extend the right to vote to our young people for all elections which we have control over. It’s now time for the Westminster parties to follow the example set by Scotland and ensure that our young people are not prevented from making their voices heard on the EU referendum - an issue of such importance to their generation.

Last week, my colleague, Alex Neil MSP, launched a new initiative and discussion document from the Scottish Government Creating ‘A Fairer Scotland: What Matters to You?’.

This aims to have a discussion with the people of Scotland on what a fairer Scotland should look like by 2030 and asks for ideas, initiatives, thoughts and views on how to achieve the priorities of people.

The idea is for people to genuinely talk to each other, through the organisations they use, within the communities they live, and for the Scottish Government to listen and build on these conversations.

Over the coming months, I intend to contact local groups and organisations and I will hold surgeries specifically to allow my constituents to let me know their views on how together we can create a fairer Scotland.

In the meantime, you can find out more information at www.fairer.scot or follow the conversation on Twitter at #fairerScotland, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fairer.scot